How Much Does It Cost to Add on a Room?

The popularity of HGTV and Pinterest prove that homeowners like to dream.
Since winning the lottery is limited to only a few people in the country (as are six-figure salaries), the rest of us need to be realistic. So what does it cost in the Northeast, NYC-metropolitan area to make home additions?
Based on prior jobs, we can give you some basic numbers on adding a room to your home.
Cost per Square Foot
When giving a quick estimate, we say it will be about $170-200 per square foot of addition. That includes:
The finished shell with roofing
Siding
Standard windows
Interior stairs
Standard tub, toilet and sink
Framed rooms with drywall
Basic electric and plumbing
It does not take into consideration:
Special windows
Appliances
Big tubs and large showers
Kitchen cabinets and cabinet pulls
Counter tops
Bathroom vanities
Fancy entry doors
Decks, patios and balconies
Tile work
Hardwood floors
Decorative light fixtures and light bulbs
Possible Cost of Home Additions
One-car detached garage that matches the house siding and roof with an electric garage door, a man-door and rafter storage space: $20-26,000
New entry door and stairs with stonework sidewalk: $8-10,000
New two-bedroom, three-bathroom home with one-car garage and basement, including tearing down the house and digging new basement: $470,000
Add a level with two bedrooms and one full bath, one-car garage with new roof and siding, new deck and Florida room: $155,000
Labor Cost
Some homeowners may choose to buy their own material instead of going through a contractor, but you will still need to pay for labor.
To give you an estimate, we charge $50-60 an hour per person for labor-only jobs. A good carpenter can cost between $17-30 an hour, and a helper is $10-15.
To frame a two-car garage with a room above, labor only will cost about $13,800.
Cost of Materials
Add to all of this the prices of materials and the rising labor costs for an experienced crew, and the overall price will continue to increase.
A square of roofing shingles c